Table of Contents
Introduction
Cold foam is a velvety texture that a coffee lover must be aware of. From a brand’s signature to a homemade inspirational creation, cold foam adds a luxurious, remarkable role in the coffee world. Unlike the use of traditional creams, cold foam provides a light, smooth flavor with perfect balance and because of that, every coffee consumer wants to drink their coffee with the topping of that velvety cold foam layer.
But the main question that will generate next in their minds is how to make cold foam for coffee. In this article we are going to explore the steps of how to make cold foam for coffee and also going to find out other parameters regarding cold foam.
What is cold foam
Before directing the jump towards how to make cold foam for coffee, it is necessary to understand what cold foam actually is. When chilled milk is blended, a light, airy, frothy foam is created known as cold coffee. Instead of mixing directly into the beverage, it is specially created to serve as a topping over cold beverages like iced coffee, iced latte or cold brew.
At the time of searching about cold foam, people usually think about its comparison with hot foam. SO, for solving that query, let’s explore the difference between hot foam and cold foam.
Hot foam vs cold foam
Temperature
As mentioned in the name, temperature is their first difference. Both foams are made through a frothing process in which hot foam is made by heating milk and aerating it with steam to make a dense, velvety foam, while the cold foam is made by just whipping the cold milk at room temperature.
Texture and purpose
The second main important difference is their textures and purposes. Hot foam has a deep, denser texture, usually for espresso drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, while cold foam offers a fluffy, smooth and light texture, usually for topping purposes over cold brews. In a comparison of hot foam vs cold foam, cold foam has leverage. Unlike hot foam, it doesn’t require heat or heavy cream and it doesn’t have the excess calories that hot foams usually have. Also, it allows versatility and can easily be flavored with caramel, vanilla, mocha, etc.
How to make cold foam for coffee
Now, in this section we are going to explore our main query, which is how to make cold foam for coffee. So, the step by step guide is given as follows
Required ingredient
The first step of how to make cold foam for coffee is to gather all necessary ingredients. SO, the list of ingredients for making one serving of cold foam is as follows
- ½ cup of cold milk
- 1-2 teaspoon of sweetener (sugar, honey, flavored syrup)
- Optional flavor
Types of milk for cold brew
Selecting the perfect type of milk is also an important factor in the making of cold foam for coffee. Two categories of milk are available and both have their own specialty. Here both of the lists are as follows
Dairy Based milk
- Skim milk
- 2% milk
- Whole milk
Nondairy based milk
- Oat milk
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk
- Soy milk
Types of Flavor
Another important factor is choosing the right flavor for making cold foam. Some of the famous suitable flavors are as follow
- Vanilla extract or vanilla syrup
- Caramel syrup
- Mocha syrup
- Cocoa powder
- Pumpkin spice
- Cinnamon
It’s better to not add any kind of sugar based sweetener, try to rely on milk’s own natural sweetness. This will maintain the charm of cold foam.
Required equipment
The second step of how to make cold foam for coffee is to gather equipment that is needed to make cold foam for coffee. The list is given as follows, you can make cold foam by using any one of the following.
- Milk frother
- French press
- Blender
- Handheld whisk or Mason jar
Steps of making cold foam for coffee
Now, in this section we are going to explore practical steps of how to make cold foam for coffee.
- The first step is to start from selecting the milk type, once you select your milk type from the above mentioned list. Put it into the fridge or refrigerator to make it cold or chill.
- Once it is chilled, take it out of the fridge and hold it at room temperature.
- For one serving of cold foam for coffee, pour ½ cup of milk into the equipment from the above mentioned equipment list.
- If you want to add some additional flavor or syrup, then add some teaspoons of that flavor into that, pour milk and mix gently before frothing like…
- If you want to make vanilla sweet cream cold foam, then you have to mix 1 to 2 teaspoons into cold milk or add ½ teaspoon if you are using vanilla extract.
- For making caramel cold foam, add 1 teaspoon of caramel sauce or syrup in cold milk.
- You have to make a mixture of ½ teaspoon pumpkin spices, ½ teaspoon vanilla or maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree along with ¼ cup of cold milk for making pumpkin cream cold foam.
- Or if you want to make mocha or chocolate cold foam, then add 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup along with ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract into cold milk.
- Use your equipment for frothing and froth the milk until it becomes smooth and glossy. This frothing process will take time depending on the equipment you are using.
- If you are using a milk frother, whether it is handheld or electrical, it will take 20 to 40 seconds.
- If you are using a blender, either its normal blender or immersion blender, it will have required 15 to 20 seconds.
- If you are using a handheld whisk or mason jar, then it will take around 45 seconds to 1 to 2 minutes.
- Once you get a shiny light foam over that frothed milk, then stop the process. Prepare your beverage and gently pour that cold foam on top of that beverage.
- You will see that the foam will sit over the beverage like a smooth cloud, indicating that your beverage with a layer of smooth cold foam is ready to serve.
Some additional recommendations
- Try to maintain ½ cup of milk foam for every 1 cup of your desired beverage.
- Never try to over froth milk; otherwise, it will be too airy and lose its texture.